Alamosa Daily Digest Friday, May 01, 2026
Ty's Take
The Surface Transportation Board's decision to let the rail line go hits different when you've watched this valley depend on it for over a century—not just for moving potatoes and barley out, but for the kind of connection that keeps a place from feeling like it's drifting into the high desert alone. Meanwhile, Anne Kelly's taking over as DA with what sounds like real momentum, and Adams State's finally getting serious about water conservation, which in a valley where every drop of the Rio Grande gets fought over three times before it reaches the fields, feels less like a campus initiative and more like somebody finally asking the question that should've been asked years ago. When you've got new housing coming together, county leadership making moves, and educators still showing up day after day in classrooms—there's something to build on here, even with the rails coming up.
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Weather Alerts
Winter Storm Warning
Winter Storm Warning issued May 1 at 2:52AM MDT until May 2 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations between 3 and 6 inches. * WHERE...Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and Wet Mountains. * WHEN...Until midnight MDT tonight. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, especially over mountain passes, with wet, slushy and snowpacked roads....
Alamosa News
Surface Transportation Board makes final decision on rail abandonment
The federal Surface Transportation Board has allowed Colorado Pacific Rio Grande Railroad to withdraw its abandonment request for a 26.5-mile rail line between Monte Vista and South Fork. The withdrawal came after local property owners opposed a plan to convert the track into a hiking trail,...
Hurd meets with immigration advocates
Congressman Jeff Hurd met with local faith-based and advocacy groups in the San Luis Valley to discuss concerns about inhumane conditions in ICE detention facilities operating in his district. The groups delivered demands for elected officials to end problematic detention practices affecting...
Phil Weiser, a known fighter with a winning record
Colorado Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Phil Weiser visited Adams State University to discuss his approach to leadership, emphasizing that showing up and listening to voters across all communities is essential to building trust and earning the governorship. Weiser pointed to his track...
Tierra Azul becoming a reality
The Tierra Azul housing development in Alamosa is moving forward after a year of progress, with the first phase now constructing 137 residential units on 43 acres of formerly vacant land on Craft Drive. The full project will include 412 housing units developed in phases over approximately ten years...
Lisa Morales returns to Society Hall
Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Lisa Morales, cousin of Linda Ronstadt, is returning to perform at Society Hall in Alamosa. Morales has built a reputation as a versatile bicultural artist, seamlessly blending Spanish and English across Mexican-American traditional music and contemporary...
DA Anne Kelly: “It’s a new day”
District Attorney Anne Kelly held a public forum for Costilla County residents to address years of complaints about dismissive and ineffective law enforcement, following last week's indictment of the sheriff, undersheriff, and three deputies. The community gathering introduced interim Sheriff Joe...
The Steppers are hitting Del Norte April 11
The Steppers, an Oklahoma City-based jamgrass band, will perform at Trade & Post in Del Norte on April 11.
Educator Highlight Award for March 2026:
Kristie Duran, school counselor at Sanford Schools since 2014, received the Adams State University Educator Highlight Award during a surprise school assembly. Students and staff recognized Duran's dedication to their emotional wellbeing and personal growth throughout her tenure.
KRZA Spring Fund Drive starts April 1
Community radio station KRZA is launching its Spring Fund Drive from April 1-10 to sustain operations after losing 100 percent of its Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding in late 2025. The historic station, which began broadcasting in 1985, is seeking listener support to continue serving the...
Applications now open for Ent Credit Union’s 2026 YES Grants
Ent Credit Union (becoming Wings Credit Union) is awarding $300,000 through its 2026 YES Grants to Colorado nonprofits serving children and youth, with applications due by March 5. The program, which has distributed over $2.8 million to more than 300 organizations since 2000, supports mentoring,...
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Valley Courier
SLV Outdoor Report | Week of April 29, 2026
The San Luis Valley Outdoor Report provides weekly updates on water conditions and recreational opportunities in the region.
Homenaje a un destacado educador
Elisamaria Heredia, an Alamosa Elementary School multilingual teacher, received the Adams State Educator Highlight Award during a bilingual celebration event. Heredia, a finalist for Colorado Teacher of the Year, has made a significant impact on her district's students and now teaches future...
Singer-songwriter Crys Matthews, who blends country, Americana, folk, blues, and bluegrass, is performing at Society Hall in Alamosa on Thursday.
Adoption of state highway Access Control Plan paused
Alamosa and Colorado Department of Transportation have paused adoption of a state highway Access Control Plan to hold one-on-one sessions and an open house for community and business input.
Adams State to focus on water conservation
Adams State University has created the President's Commission on Water Conservation to address growing water concerns in the San Luis Valley through campus audits and drought-resistant landscaping. The commission will develop both immediate conservation measures and long-term infrastructure...
Alamosa will celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Friday, May 1, with a free street festival featuring food, drinks, and live music from the Arellano Brothers on San Juan Avenue. Monte Vista's sixth annual Cinco de Mayo celebration follows on Saturday, May 2, with a car show and vendors, with proceeds...
Counties consider ballot measure to eliminate term limit for DA
San Luis Valley counties are considering a November 2026 ballot measure to eliminate term limits for the district attorney, allowing unlimited consecutive service rather than the current two four-year terms. All six county commissions must approve the measure by July 24 for it to appear on the...
SLV Community Band Spring Concert
The San Luis Valley Community Band will perform its spring concert on Thursday, May 7, at 7 p.m. at Adams State University, directed by Kerry Hart.
The Monday Briefing | April 27, 2026
Weekly weather and water condition briefing for the San Luis Valley as late April transitions to May.
Engaging kids and families, serving the community
Six participants graduated from the Family Leadership Training Institute's 20-week program, each completing community service projects including a food pantry program, youth sports equipment fund, and youth civic engagement initiative. The program, now led by founder Jamie Dominguez and his wife...
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